Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Online Cargo Shipping Technology Streamlines Process For Shippers

Over the past several years, the cargo shipping industry has undergone significant changes. With the advent of the internet, the best shipping companies are leveraging this powerful technology to improve their level of service and to make shipping easier for their customers.

So, just what technological improvements have been made in the cargo shipping industry?

• Free instant quotes online - In the past, shippers didn't know how much it'd cost to deliver their packages until they took it in to their local cargo shipping provider. Thanks to the internet, anyone can now get a free instant quote online. The best shipping companies have simple forms you can fill out to get an estimate for your shipment. Common fields you must complete to get a quote include ship to and ship from details, shipping service desired (air, ocean, truck, etc.), and general information about the package being shipped. Instant online quotes are great for budgeting funds for shipping your goods.

• 24/7 real-time shipment tracking - For shippers who need to know where their goods are at all times and when they'll reach their destination, new 24/7 real-time online shipment tracking is crucial. At the time shipping services are purchased, customers are given a unique tracking number. The customers can then visit the cargo shipping company's website, enter the tracking number, and see exactly where their shipment is at the moment. This gives the shipper peace of mind, and it's helpful in coordinating delivery or customs clearance of the shipment.

• Online customer service - Many cargo shipping companies have supplemented their traditional phone and in-person customer service with online customer service. Internet customer service mediums may also include live online chat and email. Online customer service is advantageous as customers don't have to wait on hold, saving time and hassle.

• Insurance claims - No shipper wants to file a claim on their shipment. Doing so means their shipment has been damaged, and dealing with insurance companies can be difficult.. Thankfully, filing a claim has been made easier than ever before with the internet. The best cargo shipping companies provide step-by-step instructions on their website for filing claims. Some shipping companies also let you send notification of your intent to file a claim via email and submit documents which do not require a signature. If you do choose to notify the shipping company of your intention to file a claim via email, make sure to request an acknowledgment of receipt so it's documented that your email has reached the right department.

• Service overviews - From air cargo shipping to ocean shipping and express air to inland trucking, the number of shipping services are numerous. It's important that shippers understand all of their options so they can save money and get their goods to their destination on time. The best shipping companies fully detail their service options on their website, empowering shippers to make the best choice for their needs.

The internet has changed cargo shipping for the better. Before you head down to your local shipping retailer, hit the web to save time and money.

Amerijet International, Inc. offer Ocean Freight and Ocean Cargo Shipping.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Richard

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Key Questions to Ask a Car Shipping Company

One of the biggest questions that people have when relocating to an area that is far away is how they are going to get their car to the new location. There are many shipping companies that specialize in transporting vehicles. Before enlisting the services of a car shipping company, you need to be aware of what is involved in shipping your car. The following is a list of questions you should ask a car shipping company:

How will my vehicle be shipped?
Generally your vehicle will be transported either by train, plane, truck, or boat. It all depends on where you are planning to move.

How much is it going to cost to ship my vehicle?
Considerations should include: distance and mileage, carrier type (Open or Closed), insurance, driver salary, and taxes, vehicle condition and value, and special services such as vehicle pick up or drop off. You may be charged additional fees if you have a collector's car or custom car with added value or special needs.

How long will it take to ship my car?
Shipment time can depend on a number of factors such as distance, size of the carrier, and the method of shipment and route. The time it takes can also affect the price.

What kind of trucks do you use to ship?
Open Carriers have trailers where the vehicles are visible and open to weather and other conditions. With enclosed carriers, trucks will look more like a normal truck trailer or have a trailer that is covered.

Is there a specific location that a transporter must pick up your vehicle?
Most auto transporters provide a door-to-door service. Door-to-door service usually depends on how easily your "door" is to access.

Do I have to be at home when they pick up my vehicle?
There usually has to be someone there to sign for the vehicle. You can sign for it or you could have a family member sign.

What do you mean by bill of lading?
The bill of lading is the document that records the condition of your vehicle. It is usually a form with an illustration of a car where you can note scratches, dents, marks, and other damage

How is their insurance policy prepared?
Try to obtain a copy of the car shipping company's insurance policy. Check if they offer liability coverage as primary coverage or secondary to your own insurance. Call your own insurance company to find out the level of coverage they provide during transportation.

Can I place personal items in my car?
There are insurance issues involved with this question. Many companies do not allow personal items to be stored in the vehicle.

Are there any size and weight restrictions?
The auto transport company you choose should be able to help you if you have any questions about the size or height of your vehicle. There could possibly be a few restrictions.

How do I get a car shipping quote?
You can often fill out our car shipping quote form online or call with your car shipping information.

What about rates and discounts?
When considering booking a car shipping company, ask them if they have any special discounts. Discounts can include: multiple car discounts, shipping more then one car at a time, and terminal-to-terminal shipping. Some companies will even offer military discounts.

More people are discovering the convenience of using a shipping company to transport their car. It was once a transportation method used by businesses, but now individuals are realizing it is an effective method of relocating their vehicle when they move.

Canada's largest courier delivery services company provides same day shipping, air freight, international shipping, container shipping and offers a range of choices to help meet all your shipping needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Cruise Ships of the Mediterranean Sea

There are few vacations that offer all of the cultural wealth and historical beauty of Mediterranean cruises. Only on a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea can a traveler sample so many things, including rich Italian cuisine, ancient Turkish ruins and sunbathing on a sparkling Greek beach, all in the space of a week.

Cruise ships of the Mediterranean are also available year-round, although the more popular departures are generally offered between the months of April and October. Many vacations range anywhere from 7 to 14 nights, but some trips can be longer. Ports of call will vary depending upon your specific itinerary, but your cruise can include stops in many picturesque ports in countries such as Croatia, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, France or Italy. Some of the cruise lines also offer specialized cruise tours, which are combinations of a Mediterranean cruise and a land based tour of Greece, Italy, Turkey, Spain, London or Paris.

Everything you have heard about dining on a cruise ship is also true. You will discover a varied selection of entrees (appetizers, soups, salads, sides and desserts as well) every single time you sit down to eat. And there is virtually no limit on how much or what you order.

But just because your ship offers everyone plenty of delicious food does not have to mean that you will come home looking and feeling out of shape. You can select a low-calorie menu selection that is just as tasty as those on the regular menu. Burning a lot of calories has never been so much fun! And best of all, the one thing you will never see on a cruise menu is the price!

To learn everything you need to know about a western Mediterranean cruise visit http://WesternMediterraneanCruises.net to find out more about Mediterranean cruises of all kinds, including many European destinations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lindsay_Sullins

Sunday, December 13, 2009

How to Travel by Cargo Ship and Boat

Exploring the Pacific Islands leisurely, romantically, and cheaply, via ship has always been a dream of mine. Hoping to make the dream a reality, I looked into various shipping companies before I started traveling in South East Asia and discovered that passage on cargo ships is quite expensive. Many ships carry about a dozen passengers and have comfortable cabins complete with air-conditioning for their customers. Prices range from $80-$150 per day and include three meals. You provide your own entertainment and socialize with the crew and your fellow passengers. You can book passage on a ship via a travel company, or you can contact the shipping companies themselves. I loved the idea, just not the price.

Still hoping to sail cheaply, I decided to try working in exchange for passage. I found the idea of a position on a small boat infinitely appealing as there would be more freedom than on a large one. In Hong Kong I hung around the yacht club hoping to befriend appropriate people, but the only sailors I met were yachters exercising their boats for the day. I scoured the notice boards hoping to find a 'help-wanted' ad, but found only objects for sale. Finally, I asked the lady at reception if there were any positions available on a ship; she handed me a job application and told me to return in a few days and talk to a manager, saying I might be able to find something on a cruise ship. I decided to focus on my land explorations and try my luck later on in Singapore.

At my hostel in Singapore I met a ship engineer, an Englishman. When I asked him about working or hitching a ride on a cargo ship, he laughed. He said he had hitched rides on ships all around the Pacific and that the best place to hunt for passage was on the west coast of the US because of the traffic. Then he said that no captain in his right mind would allow a female on board and that he as captain would definitely never take one on as the crew is usually all male and they don't see others, women, for weeks. He went on to say that I could probably try working as a cook on a ship but that the conditions were arduous. The kitchen can get very hot and the sea very rough. He'd seen cooks throw up into the evening's stew and had sometimes even found alien chunks in his food. After that I decided that I if I ever did sail, it would be with people I knew well or on a cargo ship when I was in the mood to splurge.

Since then I've met men who had worked as deckhands and sailed around the world, and one woman, a chef by profession, who cooked on tourist boats that plied the water between Ushuaia, Argentina, and Antarctica. The men found their positions by hanging around marinas and the woman via the Internet. Although I have never met a female deckhand, I've certainly heard of women who have worked on boats as such. If you have cooking skills or don't mind taking orders, this might be a way for you. Before committing yourself though, get to know your fellow sailors, employers, and make sure they're trustworthy. If you have any doubts, don't sail. It's better to be free on land than stuck with sharks on a boat in the middle of an ocean.

Umber Qureshi has traveled to 30 countries in 5 continents and Oceania so far. She is a traveler and writer; visit her at http://www.umbertravels.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Umber_Qureshi

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Money-Saving Tips For Shipping Your LTL Load

If you regularly send LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipments either cross country or across town, no doubt you are always looking for the best deals. In today's tough economic times, every business needs to cut expenses whenever possible, and if shipping costs can be part of a reduction plan, so much the better. Here are some money-saving tips for shipping your LTL loads.

--Go with a broker

Generally speaking, freight brokers who work with a variety of different trucking companies will be able to arrange for the lowest prices and the best service. Use a broker that is willing to offer tailor-made customized quotes for each specific job. After all, why pay full load prices when you are shipping LTL?

--Go with quality

Although a ridiculously low quote may seem tempting, you will not save money in the long run if your load is derailed en route or if it does not make it to its destination within an appropriate time frame. A quality shipping broker will always offer the lowest possible price while never sacrificing the excellent service you expect.

--Be detailed

Your quote will be more accurate (and perhaps lower) if you are able to supply the broker with exact details and descriptions of your particular load. Make sure you can give the broker specifics about pallet number, weight, dimensions, and description of merchandise.

--Look for free LTL shipping quotes

The best online brokers will be willing to give free LTL shipping quotes to anyone who is willing to fill out information online or contact a representative of the brokerage by phone. You should never have to pay for a quote: this will translate into significant money savings.

Choosing the right way to ship your LTL merchandise makes good fiscal sense: it is worth the effort of doing a little research.

Load Em Up Freight Brokers LLC ( http://www.loademup.net/ ) shipping industry leader for handling LTL and full-size loads also freight shipping quote. Ryan Coisson is a freelance writer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Coisson

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

How to Choose an Auto Shipping Quote

Benjamin Disraeli once said that, I'm paraphrasing, the wisdom of the wise and the experience of the ages are perpetuated by good quotes. You can look up companies on the net, contact them, hire a broker to sift through them and select the most competent ones with the best records, make every preparation and take every precaution, but in the end it all comes down to asking companies for a quote and making the final decision according to the quote which best suits you.

Companies realize this and many offer GREAT QUOTES already on the home page of their sites. This is something to keep an eye out for: good companies want you to ask for a quote so that they can impress you and win you over.

As a quick aside, if a company requires an advance, make absolutely sure that you are issued a contract which covers a complete refund in case the service is not carried out. A favorite fraudulent technique by not so successful companies is to receive an advance, buy some time, fail to ship the car, and refuse to refund: an easy way to make at least some money with a minimum of expenditure.

Yes, it is better not to lie in your Resume, but in many cases you can use rhetoric to formulate your experience so that you sound as an ideal presidency candidate even if you are just a parking lot attendant. But when requesting a quote it is better to submit accurate, detailed, and even the most intimate technical information about your one and only.

An accurate description of your car's weight and shape is crucial, since carrier trucks do not accommodate all cars. Heavy SUVs, minivans, station wagons, pick-up trucks, and of-road vehicles must be considered for special carrier trucks. Any exotic features and customized changes (such as lowering the car or otherwise making driving up a truck ramp difficult) will require special service. For a small supplement to the general fee, most carriers are able to ship non-operable vehicles, but it is bets to inform them before hand, because it may take a truck with a specialized ramp to lift a car which cannot be driven.

Besides the actual content of the quoted, consider the way in which the quote is presented to you: try to see how professional, courteous, and willing they are. Compare this insight with the actual service they offer: is too good to be true? Compare their quotes with those of other companies for similar services. Even if you do not choose any of the most prominent companies in the field, it is still better to begin estimating prices and quality with the best, most well known companies.

Once you have conducted this field research, you will be able to tell whether the company that you seem to prefer - perhaps not the biggest name - is sincere about their price and service. And even with a sensible, sincere carrier you can haggle for a better deal. A standard trick is to convincingly suggest that may get a better deal for the same service elsewhere. For the most part, good companies do not offer the minimal price out right, which means that with good companies there is always a chance they might lower their price just enough for you to prefer them over a similar company.

Please visit http://www.jmnhaul.com for all of your nationwide auto transport needs or follow JMN Logistics on their blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=T_Kearns

Monday, November 30, 2009

Cargo Ship Container Companies Ordering 100s of New Ships Timing the Business Cycles

Some of the wealthiest corporations in the world are involved in the international shipping business. Whereas, we hear a lot of economic doom-and-gloom about this recession being more like a depression, the reality is that the overall economic feel of this recession is only perhaps, twice or three times as bad as the normal business cycle. In other words, yes it was a bad recession, as far as recessions go, but in reality that is all it really was.

Yes, there were some mistakes made on Wall Street, and in the London office of AIG. Yes, there were far too many people betting far too much money at the top of the real estate bubble, indeed, all of those things. But the reality is this recession will end, and corporations will start report better quarterly profits, the stock market will climb back up slowly and eventually to where it was before.

The business expansion period in the business cycle will follow that by about 6 to 10 months. This is what has always happened, most likely what will continue to happen, and that is perhaps why cargo ship containers are now ordering hundreds of new ships as they are timing the next business. Interesting isn't it?

While everyone else is still talking about doom-and-gloom, double dippers, and continued economic chaos, the wealthiest corporations, which got to be that way through prudent buying decisions are gearing up for the future. So, this should be a leading economic indicator that everyone should be watching.

If these large cargo ship container companies, owned by the people who are running the world, and who are basically in charge of international trade are gearing up, shouldn't you be gearing up for the future also? Shouldn't that shed some light on what's really going on, isn't that a good sign? Indeed it is.

Still, one has to ask why so many people are still talking so negative out in the market place, and why an earth we are listening to all these 2012 end of the world conspiracy theorists? Doesn't everyone remember we were all supposed to die in Y2K? Remember a meteor which was supposed to hit the Earth, or recall in the 1970s they were talking about an Ice Age, and that would have us all frozen by now.

During the Cold War we were all going to get nuked. Are you folks starting to see a pattern here yet? Would everyone just please chill out, look at the real world, forget what all the politicians are saying, forget what the news media says, forget what your hairdresser says, or which stocks she thinks you should buy.

Start looking around, watching what's going on, and gear your stock purchases, your investments, your real estate plays, and if you own a small business, then ratchet up your expansion plan. Work your thinking towards reality, rather than all this destructive negative nonsense. Please consider this, as I am not pleased with your behavior lately.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes that the world is not coming to an end and everything will be fine.

Note: All of Lance Winslow's articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers. Lance Winslow believes those who use these strategies lack integrity and mislead the reader. Indeed, those who use such cheating tools, crutches, and tricks of the trade may even be breaking the law by misleading the consumer and misrepresenting themselves in online marketing, which he finds completely unacceptable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow